3RDGEN- In some ways it may turn out bad for these elders- but think about it, in other ways it might turn out good. From the aspect of having to face a JC made up of crooked, dishonest on the take elders - yes- however if these elders can attain the services of a non-Witness attorney truly worth his salt in dealing with this kind of breech of the law- they may be able to prove the liability and dishonesty of the WT society and perhaps win the case and have justice dealt to the WT society.
Another option would be for the elders to be assertive and request neutral elders from other congregations to serve on the appeal committee. Call Bethel legal or whoever controls the decision- someone OUTSIDE the loop of crooked , dishonest game playing elders & C.O.'s in the area.
Then again- another option would be for the elders to just say " screw it " and not attend the appeal JC and not worry about getting DFed and just concentrate on winning their trial about the Menlo park ordeal. In a court of law it won't matter to a judge if the elders got Dfed or not. He won't judge them negatively. In fact - a good prosecuting attorney representing these elders would be able to prove if they are DFed that the WT society was trying to octrasize these men further and it would be a feather in the elders attorney's hat . It may show the judge that the WT society reps were trying to quiet , minimize, or eliminate these elders credibility by DFing them. If you see where I'm going with that. So- these are just some thoughts percolating in my brain. Something to think about